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The YoT aims to raise awareness of the diversity of social, cultural, ecological and economic values of marine turtles, as well as the habitats on which they depend. The initiative is also intended to stimulate collaborative, concerted actions to conserve and manage these threatened animals. The Year of the Turtle will provide an excellent opportunity to highlight the success of existing conservation programmes, as well as launch longer-term, sustained initiatives.

The Third Meeting of the Signatory States, held in Bangkok from 29-31 March 2005, identified a diverse range of international, national and local actions that could be pursued during the campaign. They include the development of national marine turtle action plans, increased protection of nesting and foraging areas, declaration of new protected areas, initiation or extension of longarchive term census work, tagging and release of satellite-tracked turtles, and extensive advocacy work through targeted print and audiovisual media.

A Steering Committee has been established to oversee the campaign, with members selected initially from among IOSEA Range States, the Advisory Committee and partners from non-governmental and intergovernmental organisations. The Committee is expected to begin its work in earnest in June 2005. Among other things, it will develop the overall campaign themes and motto, identify priority turtle issues of regional interest, coordinate the allocation of resources, and convey information to all parties involved.

The IOSEA MoU Secretariat welcomes the participation and contributions of MTN readers in this “once in a lifetime” Year of the Turtle campaign for the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia. A letter introducing the YoT and a summary of potential activities to be conducted are available on the IOSEA website: <http://www.ioseaturtles.org/>.